Tips for Interstate Highway Drivers

Here at NMS-North we're enjoying a driving trip to visit relatives and see some cool stuff along the way, so we've racked up some miles on the Interstate highways. From South Carolina we've gone through Asheville NC, Knoxville TN, Lexington KY, Cincinnati OH, and north past Ann Arbor MI. Here's a few tips for drivers!

TIP ONE: GET OFF THE PHONE! 

On more than one occaision I've been cruising along (with cruise control,) staying in my lane, when a car ahead of me veers halfway into my lane. As I go past them or they go past me, we've noticed that they are looking at their phone in their hand. Some people don't seem to know that this is illegal in many states, and in this era with hands-free apps and screens and etc, there is no reason to be a danger by NOT looking at the road. 

TIP TWO: TIE DOWN/COVER YOUR LOAD!

We were around Asheville on I-26 with about 4 or 5 lanes heading north, when up ahead we saw a construction crew truck in the right lane, moving along, when all of a sudden one of those orange-y barrels came off his truck, started rolling and bouncing around the northbound lanes, disappeared from my view briefly behind a semi, and then was right in front of me in my lane, still bouncing around a bit. I managed to slow down and avoid it, while watching my rear view mirror enough to know if someone was on my tail that might NOT slow down. Those barrels look pretty light weight and maybe they're made of light weight plastic or NERF balls, but at highway speeds I still don't want to run into one. 

TIP THREE: CHANGE LANES SAFELY!

This is a very generic tip, but it comes to mind when other drivers pass me on the left, and then cut right back into my lane very quickly for no reason at all. Now, if the passing car had a police car or ambulance on their tail going 120mph, I understand the need to get out of the way, but sometimes this move just invades my personal space more than feels comfortable.  Picture someone doing this quick move right in front of a big semi-truck with the driver up so high they may not see you. 

TIP FOUR: USE THOSE TURN SIGNALS!

It's a decision you just have to make, that you'll be the safer driver that ALWAYS uses your turn signals. Even if you're driving and don't think anyone else is around, it's worth using the signal just in case there is someone out of your view, a driver at night without their lights on, or some other unexpected reason. Hey, worst case here you buy a $2 light bulb every 10 years when the turn signal bulb wears out.